ANDREW L HICKS JR FOUNDATION

OUR PROGRAMS SUPPORT THE YOUTH IN THE CITY OF CHESTER FROM THE AGES OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. WE BEGIN WITH OPEN EVENTS TO SPREAD OUR MISSION THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY OF CHESTER BY INVITING BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS TO PARTICIPATE. EVENTS HAVE INCLUDED BOWLING, LEARN-TO-SKATE, FALL CARNIVAL AND THE CHRISTMAS TOY STORE. WARRIOR GUIDES IS A MENTORING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO MEET THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN. WEST CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BECOME MENTORS TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM CHESTER. STRONG RELATIONSHIPS ARE BUILT, AND ALL PARTICIPANTS BEGIN TO LEARN THAT DESPITE OUR DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNITIES, CULTURES, AND RELIGIONS WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. WARRIOR GUIDE STUDENTS FROM CHESTER ARE LATER INVITED TO BECOME A PART OF THE RISE PROGRAM. RISE IS A TEAM LEADERSHIP PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN LEARNING HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL LEADERS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY. AS THE CHILDREN AGE OUT OF RISE, THEY ARE THEN INVITED TO TAKE PART IN OUR LAUNCH PROGRAM. LAUNCH PROVIDES COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PROGRAMMING TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. STUDENTS NOT ONLY LEARN TO NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS, BUT THEY ALSO LEARN PRACTICAL LESSONS IN ADULTHOOD. STUDENTS ARE MATCHED WITH PROFESSIONAL MENTORS WHO ASSIST THEM IN THIS LEARNING PROCESS. THE FOUNDATION HAS PUT TOGETHER A NEW PROGRAM CALLED BRAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TO INTRODUCE ADULT FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION FROM THE WEST CHESTER AREA AND CHESTER TO ONE ANOTHER FOR THE PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING RACIAL ISSUES AND EXPANDING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT CULTURES AND LIFE EXPERIENCES.